And so it goes that Summer must taper off, and Autumn must come along. Now the bike must be washed, and gas stabilized. The battery must come in, the hoist must lift it off the cement.

No more purring down a country lane. No more sailing on the tarmac. I must settle for memories of miles once ridden. I must keep that rumble alive in my mind until Spring supplants a cruel Winter.

I can Winterize the bike. I can care for her and tend to her. But can I winterize myself? Can I ready my mind body and soul for the times ahead? I need a coat this year. Less insulation, I guess. Already the wind bites with frozen teeth. Already the sun lends hope, but not heat.

I look out at the trees which have become charcoal etchings against the canvas of an ash grey sky and I wonder, how long until I feel the gentle breath of spring upon my brow?

But then I think of possibilities. When I was a child I could sometimes walk atop the frozen drifts of snow. At 366 lbs I sunk every year. Maybe this year, for just one step, I'll stand tall atop the snowbank. King of the Hill. This is one test I'll have to take in a few month's time.

Now, time to put up the storm windows.

King of the Hill.

I guess you just answered my earlier question(on another tread)

I hope you are getting paid somewhere for your writing! A pleasure to read! Thanks...(she says, turning from a pile of well-meaning, if not well-written, English essays)...for the bright spot in a sea of gray! Cindy

It looks like you write very well, so I am flattered even more by your praise.

Ryan -

I gotta say, I love your outlook.

And your new avatar is mighty handsome, too!

I hope you get to stand tall upon the drifts as well. I can almost feel your hearts glory.

Hugs !!!

WhippleDaddy - I'd like to introduce myself - semi-newbie CandySmooch - late at night in a lonely 911 Dispatch center I get bored and go looking through old posts. I've gotten to know you from your old posts here at LBT and even posted something a few weeks ago wondering if anyone knew what happened to you and your wife. It's a pleasure to read your provoctive posts and I'm glad to see that you are here with us. Look forward to corresponding